“Team mates, training partners and best friends” is how the newly crowned 2013 British Mountain Bike Cross-Country Champion, Grant Ferguson described his relationship with fellow Scot Kenta Gallagher. Grant, aged 19 and Kenta 21, have both burst onto the Mountain Bike scene over the past few years and their brotherly support has so far successfully pushed each other over that next obstacle.
Grant, nicknamed “The Frog” due to the size of his hands and feet, continues saying: “We have known each other for a long time now, lots of trips everywhere and lots of training, it’s a good relationship. I wouldn’t call it a rivalry, it’s more banter really. Mates training together facing everyone else.”
They have been lining up alongside each other on the start line since the under 12 national circuit and became training partners a few years ago, when both migrated south to Manchester to join the Great Britain under 23 squad.
“Kenta is one year older than me so he was already there when I arrived andit was nice to have that familiar face. Both Kenta and I signed with a Dutch team so that’s who I race for at World Cup level. I guess for now anyway we come as a pair.”
“It was always the aim to make the level required to join the under 23 Great Britain setup. The way I see it, it is kind of like an apprenticeship, I have three years to learn as much as I can and then the aim is to go full time. So that’s when I would call myself a pro, going into the big bad world by myself.”
Born and raised in Peebles in the Scottish Borders, Grant has already had a taste of the Commonwealth Games experience. “I was in the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man. Mountain Biking is my main discipline and it was not in that Games, but I came sixth in the Road Race which is an awesome achievement. The whole experience was just mint really, yeah Scotland, love representing it. I love pulling on the Scotland jersey.”
Riding his bike all around the globe on a weekly basis, Grant unsurprisingly views himself as being in an extremely privileged situation, however he is most looking forward to actually riding on home soil at the Cathkin Braes course constructed specially for Glasgow 2014 and on which he enjoyed recent success.
“‘Good ole’ Scotland, the Commonwealth Games will be mint. In front of the home crowd that is going nuts for you to win, I can’t wait. It will be me and my best friend Kenta going big for the crowd!”
With selection for Team Scotland at the top of his agenda, Grant’s next challenge sees him fly out to South Africa for the 2013 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships this weekend.
There is also Cycling closer to home with the SXC Round 5 of the Scottish Championships at Kirroughtree
You can follow Grant on Twitter @GrantFerguson1
Photo Credit: Scottish Cycling
Australian-based Scot Graeme Archer is making a 20,000 mile round trip to Glasgow and back this month in an attempt to reach the qualifying criteria for Team Scotland.
The 46 year old from Edinburgh is on a two year contract down under as a development officer with Clayton Bowls Club in Melbourne but this week is back as his roots competing for Scotland Kelvin at the 8 Nations Commonwealth Invitation Championships in Kelvingrove (24-31 August).
Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Africa and two teams for Scotland are competing at the Glasgow 2014 Games venue for the event organised by Bowls Scotland in partnership with sportscotland, Glasgow 2014, Commonwealth Games Scotland, Scottish Disability Sport, Event Scotland and Glasgow Life. Archer knows what it’s like to compete for Scotland at a major event having competed in the 2002 Commonwealth Games. However it’s different this time around.
“Playing in any Games is a big thing but having a Commonwealth Games in your own country is incredible,” he said. “We know how passionate the Scots are about their bowls and I’m sure we will get good crowd so it would be amazing to play here.”
“There are only five players that get picked and Scotland is blessed to have so many good players so matter who gets picked it’s going to be a very strong five.”
“It’s every man for himself and everyone is trying to prove themselves.”
Archer says the playing set up in Australia is a lot different from playing in Scotland, the greens being a lot faster and firmer. But he is thrilled to be back home and playing at the spectacular Kelvingrove venue.
“It’s different but it’s just as competitive here in Scotland, it’s going well and I’m loving playing here.”
Photo credit: Rob Eyton-Jones
On the 1st August 2012, a Glaswegian boy made history. Aged 24 and in lane four of the 200m Breaststroke final at the London Olympics, Michael Jamieson covered the 200m in a blistering 2:07.43 setting a new British record and claiming an Olympic silver medal. However, little did he know that when his head rose out of the water for the last time, his life would not look the same again.
“The past year has flown by. The build up to London seemed so long, but it has just raced by since then. I’ve enjoyed both sides of my success and I guess for me it was something I was thrown into the deep-end with and something I had to quickly learn to cope with.”
Not just a Scottish icon but also a British and international swimming role-model, Michael, nicknamed MJ, has had to quickly learn many things but none quicker than how to tame the famously difficult to understand Glaswegian accent. But this is understood to be part and parcel of being on the medal podium and after breaking the British record three times during the Olympics, Michael is definitely in the public eye.
Based at the University of Bath, Michael recently took a ‘disappointing’ 5th place by his standards in the 200m Breaststroke at the 2013 World Championships, following a season plauged by injury. But he claims he is now ready for the Glasgow 2014 challenge. The hometown favourite and recently announced Glasgow 2014 Ambassador will inevitably have to cope with a pile of pressure to claim gold.
“It’s not something that scares me, I expect results and I’m my own harshest critic. If I don’t get the results I’m looking for, like you guys saw in Barcelona, you can see I’m as disappointed as anybody.”
“I do need to learn to deal with that better in the run up to Games but if people are looking at my results over the past few years, I’ve finished second at the last few big events and obviously I want to go one better. Aside from any other external pressure, that is common sense, I always want to better myself.”
No stranger to the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the Glasgow 2014 swimming venue, Michael recently visited his old splashing ground for the ticketing launch.
“It’s great to be back here, it’s the first time I’ve seen it since the refurbishment and it is now a world class facility and fully deserves to host an event as big as the Commonwealth Games. As a youngster, it was always known as a fast pool, and I don’t think that is going to change so I’m looking forward to posting some fast times next summer.
“I will be first in the pool this off-season and looking to earn the result that everyone is looking for.”
You can follow Michael on Twitter @mj88live
Photo credit: Getty Images
Commonwealth Games Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of ASICS, the performance sportswear brand, as its official kit supplier.
The internationally renowned sportswear company will supply Team Scotland’s kit at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as they look to standout at their home Games.
ASICS have been commissioned to produce a range of high quality performance kit and sports team wear, which will be worn by athletes, coaches and support staff. The technical apparel range has a strong appearance with distinctive ‘Saltire’ blue and white lead colours, in-keeping with Team Scotland’s heritage.
The range supplied to the team will include jackets, t-shirts and polo shirts, track pants, shorts, caps, and luggage and a key item is the team tracksuit jacket which will be proudly worn during medal ceremonies.
The agreement follows extensive consultation with athlete representatives in line with Team Scotland’s athlete centred approach. ASICS were selected for its reputation for delivering top of the range performance products and its experience of supplying other national teams including the Irish Olympic team at London 2012.
Announcing the agreement, Jon Doig CGS Chief Executive and Team Scotland Chef de Mission said: “Team kit is such an important aspect for the athletes and staff particularly at a home Games, when Team Scotland will be very much in the spotlight. The look and feel of the kit helps to unite the team together and makes them proud to be representing their country at one of the biggest competitions of their lives.
“We are delighted to be working with ASICS, such a strong international sportswear brand. They have been enthusiastic about the project from the start and we are confident that they can meet all our technical and operational requirements, as well as designing a distinctive look for the team.”
Proud to be announced as the official kit supplier, Barry Mellis, Managing Director of ASICS UK and Ireland said: “We are very proud to work together with Commonwealth Games Scotland to develop this key range of apparel which will support the performance of Team Scotland at their home Games. We look forward to creating a range of apparel which will help the team to perform at their best.”
Scotland’s top bowlers face the world’s best teams at home next week when Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre hosts the 8 Nations Commonwealth Invitation Championships (24-31 August).
Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Africa and two teams for Scotland will all compete at the Glasgow 2014 Games venue for the event organised by Bowls Scotland in partnership with sportscotland, Glasgow 2014, Commonwealth Games Scotland, Scottish Disability Sport, Event Scotland and Glasgow Life.
For Scotland the event is an opportunity to be considered for nomination to Commonwealth Games Scotland for the Glasgow Games.
With team selection at the forefront, Bowls Scotland Head Coach, David Gourlay’s plan next week is for each player to gain maximum exposure to competition and to win as many games as they can against quality opposition.
“At this stage I’m more bothered about players playing and winning games to make the selection criteria than I am about them winning medals,” he said.
“So the focus next week is about giving the maximum number of players the opportunity to be eligible for the selection criteria and giving them games against quality opposition to see how they are performing in different events.”
‘Clyde’ and ‘Kelvin’, Scotland’s two teams at Kelvingrove, have a grand total of 24 players, including World Champions and Commonwealth Games competitors. Amongst them are four times Games player Margaret Letham and World Champion Paul Foster.
Entering two teams gives the maximum number of Scots the chance to play but the obvious downside is that the best players are spread across both.
“If we wanted to win every event we would just put in one team,” admits Gourlay. “Fielding two teams means we are spreading ourselves pretty thin.
“Australia, ranked the number one country in the world, will be bringing a squad of 10 players which will no doubt include all their superstars so we obviously need to manage people’s expectations about overall results.”
The experience of competing against many of the world’s best players at the Games venue is as important as winning matches and it is all part of the programme Gourlay has been working through this season.
So far his elite squad has met for training sessions at Kelvingrove on a twice weekly basis since May, with further individual coaching each week, which is producing a bank of useful data about the greens that increase Scotland’s home advantage for the 2014 Games.
“Our squad training sessions are as much about getting all the players used to the greens as they are about getting everybody familiar and comfortable with the venue and the surroundings,” he said.
“What we are creating is a feeling amongst our players that they are competing on their home green so they feel completely familiar with the environment. That will give us home advantage which is our challenge before this time next year.”
Entry to the 8 Nations Commonwealth Invitation Championships is free to spectators.
Scottish Teams Line Up
MEN
Team Kelvin
Paul Foster, Martyn Rice, Neil Spiers, Graeme Archer, Johnathon Ross, David Peacock
Team Clyde
Wayne Hogg, Stewart Anderson, Robert Grant, Darren Burnett, Grant Logan, Thomas Mann, Ronnie Duncan
WOMEN
Team Kelvin
Caroline Brown, Michelle Cooper, Lauren Ballie, Margaret Lethem, Claire Johnston, Becky Craig
Team Clyde
Susan Murray, Anne Dunnwoodie, Lynn Stein, Lorraine Malloy, Claire Douglas
DISABILITY
Team Kelvin
Physically Disabled Open Triples: Gary Clelland (B6), Gary Brown (B7) and Martin Hunter.
Visually Impaired Mixed Pairs: Maria Spencer (B3) and Billy Edgar (B2).
Team Clyde
Physically Disabled Open Triples: Billy Allan (B6), Michael Simpson (B7) and Kelvin Wallace (B7).
Visually Impaired Mixed Pairs: Irene Edgar (B2) and Robert Conway (B2)
Photo credit: Rob Eyton-Jones
Between the Queen’s Baton being unveiled to the world live on the BBC One Show and one million tickets going on sale to the public on Monday (19 August), the past seven days has been hugely exciting for everyone with an interest in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
And a great symbolic figure of this exiting time is ‘Clyde’, the fun loving thistle shaped Glasgow 2014 Mascot, who is now carrying this excitement into primary schools across the nation on a two week tour.
From Edinburgh to Elgin, Clyde will inspire young people the length and breadth of the country about the Games, alongside two of Scotland’s top former Commonwealth Games athletes.
Double gold medal-winning swimmer, David Carry and the first Scottish badminton player to win a match in an Olympic Games, Susan Egelstaff, will accompany Clyde, engaging with young children and giving them an insight into the world-class event coming to Glasgow next summer.
Susan said: “It is crucial that young people across the country have the opportunity to experience live world-class sport in person, It’s a once In a lifetime opportunity and young Scots growing up today will want to have the chance to say in years to come ‘I was there’.”
Clyde was designed by schoolgirl Beth Gilmour from Cumbernauld. Beth won a UK-wide Blue Peter competition, from over 4000 entries, to design the Glasgow 2014 Mascot, which will become known by people all around the world.
Look at the list below to find out if Clyde is coming to your child’s school:
Monday 19 August:
Rothesay Primary School & Colgrain Primary School – Argyle and Bute
Tuesday 20 August:
Annanhill Primary School & Dalmellington Primary School – East Ayrshire
Wednesday 21 August:
St Bernadette’s Primary School – North Lanarkshire & St Elizabeth’s Primary School – South Lanarkshire
Thursday 22 August:
Kircudbright primary School & Eastrigg’s Primary School – Dumfries and Galloway
Friday 23 August:
George Watson Primary School – Edinburgh and Lothians
Monday 26 August:
St Andrew’s Primary School – East Dunbartonshire & Scotstoun Primary School – Glasgow City
Tuesday 27 August:
Christie Park Primary School & Kilbowie Primary School – West Dunbartonshire
Wednesday 28 August:
Jordanhill Primary School – Glasgow City & Bannockburn Primary School – Stirling
Thursday 29 August:
Alva Primary School – Clackmannanshire & Carleton Primary School – Fife
Friday 30 August:
New Elgin Primary School – Moray & Robert Gordon Primary School – Aberdeenshire
You can follow Clyde on Twitter @Clyde2014
When Glasgow 2014 announced their ticketing strategy back in May this year, they pledged that athletes from all competing countries would be able to purchase during the Games two tickets for their family and friends to attend any finals/medal sessions in which they ultimately compete.
To build further on this welcome news and to give greater certainty to athletes and their families at an earlier stage in the process, Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) is pleased to announce a wider ticketing opportunity.
CGS will make up to fourtickets per session available for purchase from its own allocation. This priority offer will be open to all athletes selected to represent Team Scotland and for all sessions in which they compete. This includes the two tickets for finals/medal sessions originally offered by the Organising Committee.
For any additional tickets required for these sessions or for any other sports, athletes’ families and friends should still apply directly to Glasgow 2014 through the public ticketing process. However, if fewer tickets are required, there is no need to do so, as they can rest assured that their athlete (if selected) is already guaranteed four tickets per session they compete in.
The sale of these tickets will be administered directly by CGS, with all communication regarding payment and distribution coming through the relevant Scottish governing body of sport and via the appointed sport team manager in particular.
Athletes will be asked to nominate a ‘family and friends representative’ in due course and applications for these tickets can only be made to CGS once an athlete has received official confirmation of their Team selection from CGS.
Announcing the CGS family and friends ticketing initiative, Jon Doig, Commonwealth Games Scotland Chief Executive and Team Scotland Chef de Mission said: “One of the huge benefits of a ‘home’ Games is for athletes to be able to have their family and friends there to support them at one of the most important times of their lives.
“Families make a considerable sacrifice over many years to help their athlete make it to the highest level and we know just how important it is for them to have the opportunity to be there when it counts. So we want to take the worry and uncertainty out of the ticketing process for this important group.
“With the full agreement and support of Glasgow 2014, CGS will guarantee that all Team Scotland selected athletes will be able to purchase up to four tickets for every session they compete in. We believe this is good news for prospective Team Scotland athletes and their family and friends.”
Up to one million tickets for the UK’s next big sporting celebration will go on sale from 10am today (Monday, 19 August) as the starting pistol is fired for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Marking the 10am launch with a splash in every sense, Commonwealth and Olympic swimming star, and just-announced Glasgow 2014 ambassador, Michael Jamieson will dive into the newly re-furbished Tollcross International Swimming Centre for the first time – the pool where he hopes to win one of Team Scotland’s first gold medals on the first night of competition.
For Glaswegian Michael the pool holds special memories as it’s where he trained as a youngster and today he will share the historic moment with young swimmers from Glasgow School of Sport, who all hope to be swimming champions of the future.
Next summer will see 4,500 athletes from 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth compete for gold and glory in Glasgow. Within the Glasgow 2014 Ticketing Programme there’s something for everyone, across 17 sports and 11 days of competition, with family-friendly pricing and a simple application process. The four-week ticketing phase is open from today until 16 September offering fans the opportunity to experience the action and thrills of the Games with two-thirds of tickets priced at £25 or less.
Ticket applications can be made from 10am on glasgow2014.com/tickets or via postal applications forms distributed nationwide with the Official Ticketing Guide. It makes no difference whether fans apply on the first day, last day or in between, but all applications must be received by 6pm on 16 September.
Everyone will have the same opportunity to apply for the tickets they want over the four week period. It’s a brilliant opportunity to experience world-class competition in all the sports you already love and experience new thrills of elite athletes going for Gold in sports you’ve never seen live or at that level before. It makes no difference whether you apply on the first day, last day or in between – so take time to explore the sports programme and plan your application with your family and friends.
Access to sporting events will start from just £15 for adults. Half-price concessions will also be available for under 16s – a Commonwealth Games first – and the over-60s. The price of a ticket also includes access to public transport in the local area on the day of your event.
As part of the simple and accessible ticketing process at least 70% of all tickets to all sporting events will be available to the public, and a number of different payment methods can be used.
Michael Jamieson said: “Glasgow 2014 is going to be one of the highlights of my career and I’m delighted to be an Official Ambassador for the Games. As well as being an athlete the great thing for me as a sports fan is being able to attend other events and I can’t wait to get to see as much as I can at Glasgow 2014.
“The difference between watching a big multi-sport event on television or actually being there and experiencing it is second to none. You can feel the support of the crowd, the noise from the stadium and being in front of a home crowd will just add to the excitement. I would encourage as many people as possible to get tickets and come and be part of the action. These are elite athletes in every one of the 17 sports competing against their rivals so no matter which sport you get tickets for you will be enthralled, excited and entertained. There is nothing to beat live sport.”
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, added: “In less than one year’s time, Team Scotland hopes to be fielding its biggest team ever at Glasgow 2014. Our athletes in 17 sports will be ready to go up against the best in the Commonwealth and make their mark at the biggest international sporting event to come to these shores.
“We urge the public to buy tickets now to ensure that the venues are filled with Saltire flags and cheering Scots, helping to make home advantage count. From swimming to weightlifting our athletes are training hard to give you something to shout about, so come along and play your part in the Games!”
A hand-crafted Baton made of titanium, wood and granite which will travel throughout the Commonwealth representing Glasgow and Scotland ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games was revealed to the public for the first time tonight (Friday, August 16).
The beautiful creation lies at the heart of the Queen’s Baton Relay, a well-loved tradition of the Commonwealth Games which seeks to unite the two billion citizens of the Commonwealth in a celebration of sport, diversity and peace.
It will carry, innovatively display and illuminate a personal message from Her Majesty The Queen calling the athletes of the Commonwealth to Glasgow for the start of the Games.
The Baton’s journey officially begins on October 9 at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace when the Queen places her message within the Baton. The Baton then journeys across the Commonwealth – including all the Home Nations and territories – before arriving back in Scotland in June next year.
Over 288 days the Baton will travel more than a hundred thousand miles, visiting all 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth – including being the first to visit Rwanda.
It will be carried by thousands of batonbearers on its epic journey, all chosen or nominated by their own nation to participate. On its final leg, the Baton will travel the length and breadth of Scotland on the way to its ultimate destination, the Opening Ceremony, where the Queen’s message will be read and the Games declared open.
The Baton’s design has been a closely-guarded secret until its official unveiling tonight (Friday, August 16) at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum on the banks of the River Clyde, when it was formally presented to Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chairman of Glasgow 2014, by Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth athlete Allan Wells, recently announced as a Games Ambassador.
The former Scottish Olympic and Commonwealth Gold sprinter and winner of the 100m Olympic title at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, was the final batonbearer at the last Commonwealth Games on Scottish soil in Edinburgh in 1986.
Allan will also be among the first batonbearers for the Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay when it leaves from Buckingham Palace later this year.
The Baton symbolises Glasgow and Scotland’s culture, history and innovation in its design and construction by combining leading-edge technology with traditional skills and craft. Created by Glasgow-based Designers, 4c Design Limited and made primarily from titanium and wood, the Baton features four main elements in its design;
The illuminated Queen’s message – The heart of the Baton design centres on the Queen’s message, which will be placed inside a transparent cylinder and housed in a pure titanium latticework frame. The message forms the visual core of the Baton design – illuminated from within by LED lights, yet unreadable until the Opening Ceremony.
The lattice frame – The titanium lattice frame takes inspiration from Glasgow’s rich industrial heritage and the architectural beauty of Charles Rennie Mackintosh design. A cutting-edge ‘Direct Metal Laser Sintering’ process was used to create its striking organic form, fusing together multiple layers of pure titanium powder three hundredths of a millimetre thick with a focused laser beam – essentially 3D printing.
The handle – The baton’s handle is made from Elm sourced from the grounds of Garrison House on the Isle of Cumbrae – a tribute to Scotland’s natural resources. It was constructed using a boat-building technique called bird-mouthing, traditionally used to make masts for ships. Light, strong and durable, the handle was created by craftsmen at GalGael, a Glasgow social enterprise that teaches traditional skills.
The Granite gemstone – The Baton contains a granite ‘gemstone’ which will be gifted to each nation and territory during the visit. Housed at the very top of the Baton, it is released only by opening a clever mechanism, inspired by historic box puzzles. The gemstones, made of granite unique to Scotland, were sourced from Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde, crafted by Kays of Scotland, world-famous Curling stone manufacturers, and embellished by jewellers from The Glasgow School of Art.
The Baton made its dramatic arrival to the unveiling event along the River Clyde – accompanied by Clyde, the Official Glasgow 2014 Mascot and a security team before being unveiled to a cheering crowd.
Also revealed were the official Queen’s Baton Relay uniforms to be worn by thousands of batonbearers who will have the honour of carrying the Baton, the symbol of the Games, as it travels through the Commonwealth.
The Baton will be relayed on its journey by Emirates, the Official Airline of the Queen’s Baton Relay and an official Partner of Glasgow 2014.
This evening it was also revealed that Scots adventurer Mark Beaumont will cover the journey of the Queen’s Baton Relay for a series of programmes across the BBC network.
Partners-QBR-Web1.jpgLord Smith of Kelvin, Glasgow 2014 Chairman said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is a great tradition of the Commonwealth Games and a wonderful opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland to share our culture and heritage with the citizens of the Commonwealth.
“Glasgow 2014’s Queen’s Baton is not only an incredibly stylish object, but is an example of cutting-edge, contemporary Scottish design that tells so many stories about our nation. It is a symbol of our friendship and the warm welcome that awaits the Commonwealth Family here next year. As the Baton leaves a piece of Scottish granite in every nation it visits, I hope it also leaves a sense of our excitement and determination to make Glasgow 2014 an outstanding experience for all who attend.”
Olympic and Commonwealth legend Allan Wells MBE said: “As the final runner of the Queen’s Baton Relay at the last Commonwealth Games on Scottish soil in Edinburgh in 1986, the Baton and what it symbolises is incredibly special for me.
“Thousands of batonbearers will, like I did, have the honour of playing a very special part in the inspirational journey to the Opening Ceremony and I can’t wait to see this Baton begin its epic journey around the Commonwealth with the spirit of Glasgow and Scotland at its heart.”
Also part of the unveiling ceemony, Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “We are hugely impressed with the design of the Baton that beautifully links both traditional and contemporary aspects of Scotland in a clever and innovative way which is truly awe-inspiring.
“The Queen’s Baton is the ultimate symbol of the Commonwealth Games and gives an important signal to Scottish athletes that the Games are within touching distance and will spur them on in their quest for selection. As the host Commonwealth Games Association for Glasgow 2014, we are looking forward with great anticipation and excitement to the final leg of the Baton’s journey here in Scotland.”
In Kelso, a small market town situated in the Scottish Borders is a 17 year old girl full of nothing else but a joy for life mixed with a fierce competitive determination.
Samantha Kinghorn’s achievements, since taking up the sport of Wheelchair Racing (T53) 12 months ago, are nothing short of remarkable. In fact, she has gone from beginner, to novice, to part-time, to a fully fledged full-time para-athlete, who is ranked second in Europe – all this in a 12 month period.
However, to understand where this drive comes from requires back-tracking to the start of the story. “As a kid, I did everything from gymnastics, to working on the farm, to ballet to even a little bit of rugby.” Then one winter’s day in 2010, she was swamped by snow falling from a house roof and in an instant her life changed for ever.
“I knew I had broken my back straight away. Nobody else realised this and as I was going through tests everybody was like ‘no no you will be fine’. Then I was suddenly left alone in the hospital room while my parents were being told and I said to myself, so this it, I’m going to be stuck in bed and not able to walk for ever. I started to plan my life, I had decided to go to university online and setup an online business then my parents came back in the room with the confirmation.”
“At the start I didn’t think I was going to be able to do anything but then I was given my wheelchair, then I was allowed out of bed. My physiotherapist took me to Redstar racing club. As soon as I saw it, I was like ‘I want to do that’.”
Whether it is endurance training around the quiet roads of the Scottish Borders or training on a set of rollers that her Dad made for her on the farm, Sammi (as she is known by her friends) has a remarkable attitude to life. “If it rains outside, runners can still run. Well wheelchair rims are made from rubber and rubber on rubber is so slippy, that’s why I have the indoor rollers, but I still love sliding around in the wet. I guess I’m weird like that, there is a hill near my house that I can hit 46mph on.”
A psychology and counseling career combined with motivational speaking is what she has planned out for the long term, but Sammi very much sees her current focus on the sport she loves. However, the road ahead is not smooth.
“So I’m a T53 which means I only have the ability to push through my arms and shoulders. While at Glasgow 2014 it is a T54 event which means those guys will have full abdominals as well. I race flat on my knees but they can lift themselves up and down. It is a challenge but that is always fun and just getting there and competing in a race is a massive achievement. I would race against Usain Bolt if it meant getting on that track in Scottish kit in front of a home crowd.”
Sammi’s next challenge comes this weekend as she competes in the Swiss Junior Championships, which regularly attracts the world’s elite. Sammi will race in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m.
You can follow Sammi on Twitter @Sam_Kinghorn
Photo Credit: Ian Mirfin